[Closed] tell me about your racing experiences

Then shortly after starting my fourth lap the elite category riders started, most of whom seemed to be taking it very seriously

Elite athletes taking things seriously? No way 😉

Generally elites set off ahead of sport, you were being lapped. Agree though that can introduce all sorts of pressures! Youv;eve just got to get used to it though, you can't always get a clear track, in fact you'll almost never get a race totally free from back markers, either being one, or catching one.

muppetWrangler

My first race was in a park in Ealing sometime in the late 80's. The course was probably closer to a cyclo cross course than what we'd now consider a mountain bike course. Anyway myself and a friend lined up with about 70-80 others and sprinted away at the start.

Elthorne Park?
I raced there in 1990 or so on my Ridgeback 600 STI. It was a cross and MTB race I think.

@TrickyDisco 4th cat. 0 BC points so far.

That sounds a nice little circuit, wait until you get out on the open roads you'll love it.
You'll need to recce the course, look out for climbs, key corners and landmarks that'll tell you youre about to hit them.
You'll feel like a proper old pro with police outriders riding along side you.
Jealous of your enthusiasm..